Available literature on ameloblastoma of the jaw was reviewed, including publications from 1960 to 1993, and compared to the latest larger review, published by Small and Waldron in 1955. The average age of patients with ameloblastoma is 36 years. In developing countries ameloblastomas occur in younger patients. Men and women are equally affected. Women are 4 years younger than men when ameloblastomas first occur, and the tumours appear to be larger in females. Dominant clinical symptoms such as painless swelling and slow growth are non-characteristic. The ratio of ameloblastoma of the mandible to maxilla is 5 to 1. Ameloblastomas of the mandible occur 12 years earlier than those of the maxilla. Ameloblastomas occur most frequently in the molar region of the mandible. In Blacks, ameloblastomas occur more frequently in the anterior region of the jaws. Radiologically, 50% of ameloblastomas appear as multilocular radiolucent lesions with sharp delineation. Histologically, one-third are plexiform, one-third follicular; other variants such as acanthomatous ameloblastoma occur in older patients. Two percent of ameloblastomas are peripheral tumours. Unicystic ameloblastomas occurring in younger patients have been found in 6%. Detailed data on 345 patients with ameloblastoma were evaluated for clarification of therapeutic approaches. Chemotherapy and radiation seem to be contraindicated. Ameloblastomas of the maxilla should be treated as radically as possible, ameloblastomas of the mandible should also be treated radically. However, ameloblastomas which radiologically appear as unilocular lesions may be treated conservatively (enucleation, curettage), whenever all areas of the cystic lumen are controllable intraoperatively. Unicystic ameloblastomas occurring in patients 15 years younger than those with multisystic ameloblastoma may be treated conservatively except in cases with invasion of epithelium into the cyst wall. Different recurrence rates have been found for histological variants of the ameloblastoma. Follicular ameloblastomas appear to recur more often than the plexiform type. Unicystic ameloblastomas reveal lower recurrence rates than “non-unicystic” ameloblastomas. The peripheral type of ameloblastoma may be excised, since conservative therapy results in low recurrence rates. Postoperative follow-up is most important in the therapy of ameloblastoma, because more than 50% of all recurrences occur within 5 years postoperatively.

Ameloblastoma: Biological profile of 3677 cases

As the name suggests, the histogenesis of the granular cell tumor is uncertain, but this intriguing neoplasm has occasioned much speculation and controversy since its description in 1926 as a myoblastoma. Though ubiquitous in its anatomic location, it is usually small, solitary, benign, and readily recognized by routine light microscopy, and questions concerning it are principally academic. However, a small number of cases are malignant and they can be difficult to identify in paraffin sections. The combined input from immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy has greatly clarified understanding of the morphology of this lesion and both methods are helpful when the differential diagnosis is a problem. The cell of origin is still undecided, and although distinct neural features argue for Schwannian origin, the noncommittal term granular cell tumor continues to be appropriate.

Granular cell tumor: a review of the pathology and histogenesis.

Granular cell lesions of the jaws and oral cavity: A clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural study

Salivary stones, also known as sialoliths, are calcified concrements in the salivary glands. Sialoliths are more frequently located in the submandibular gland (84%), than in the parotid gland (13%). The majority of the submandibular stones are located in Wharton's duct (90%), whereas parotid stones are more often located in the gland itself. Salivary stones consist of an amorphous mineralised nucleus, surrounded by concentric laminated layers of organic and inorganic substances. The organic components of salivary stones include collagen, glycoproteins, amino acids and carbohydrates. The major inorganic components are hydroxyapatite, carbonate apatite, whitlockite and brushite. The management of salivary stones is focused on removing the salivary stones and preservation of salivary gland function which depends on the size and location of the stone. Conservative management of salivary stones consists of salivary gland massage and the use of sialogogues. Other therapeutic options include removal of the stone or in some cases surgical removal of the whole salivary gland.

https://www.exodontia.info/files/BDJ_2014._Salivary_Stones_-_Symptoms_tiology_Biochemical_Composition_Treatment.pdf

Salivary stones: symptoms, aetiology, biochemical composition and treatment

Objectives: The aim of this part of the study was to determine the radiological presentation on conventional radiographs of central ameloblastomas in the Hong Kong Chinese and compare them with other reported series by a systematic review (SR). Methods: The study had two elements, that of a complete series of all ameloblastomas presenting at a major Chinese maxillofacial surgical unit and a SR. The files of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the University of Hong Kong between 1989 and 2000 were reviewed for ameloblastoma cases. The relevant literature was identified by electronic databases, review of citation lists and handsearching of key journals. The principal selection criterion was that the study should represent a complete collection of cases. Results: Only 13 reports gave any radiological details. The present study of the Hong Kong Chinese contained 61 cases. With the exception of radiodensity and shape of radiolucency, the majority of the 13 other reports did not record the other radiological features that could be important in the diagnosis. The present study agreed with the synthesis of the 13 reports with regards to complete radiolucency and cortication of ameloblastomas, but disagreed with regards to other important features. The present study had a significantly higher proportion of unilocular lesions, better marginal definition, and more frequent perforation of the cortex and buccolingual expansion. Nine of the ten maxillary lesions straddled both anterior and posterior sextants with four crossing the midline, whereas only 13 of the 51 mandibular cases affected both sextants, of which eight crossed the midline. The unicystic form, which was most prevalent, appeared significantly more frequently as unilocular radiolucencies in comparison with the non-unicystic forms. The frequencies of unicystic forms and unilocular presentations were significantly greater in the young. The lesions in the young were significantly sited solely in the posterior sextant. The lower border of the mandible was reached and affected by ameloblastoma in 36 cases in the present report. It was displaced and thinned in 15 cases whereas in just five it was at least partially undisplaced with the lesion expanding down past it either buccally or lingually to it. The unicystic form was significantly more associated with root resorption, tooth displacement and crowns of unerupted teeth. Conclusions: Radiologically, ameloblastomas in the Hong Kong Chinese differ significantly with regards to many features. This can be in part explained by the higher proportion of the unicystic form.

Scharlock Se

Papers

A clinico-pathological study of intraoral lymphoepithelial cysts.

Intraoral minor salivary gland sialolithiasis.

A clinico-pathologic study of 50 adult oral granular cell tumors.

Non-inductive epithelial odontogenic tumors: clinico-pathologic study of 48 cases.